Dave Prentis | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/society/daveprentis
Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voiceen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015Mon, 03 Aug 2015 00:58:01 GMT2015-08-03T00:58:01Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015The Guardianhttp://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttp://www.theguardian.com
Unison endorses Jeremy Corbyn for Labour leadershiphttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jul/29/unison-endorses-jeremy-corbyn-for-labour-leadership
<p>Unison general secretary Dave Prentis says Corbyn’s message is resonating with union’s 1.3 million members working in public services</p><p>Jeremy Corbyn has received a major boost in his campaign to become the next <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/labourleadership">Labour party leader</a> after Unison, one of Britain’s largest trade unions with 1.3 million members, endorsed his bid.</p><p>In a blow to rival candidate Andy Burnham, who had hoped to win the support of one of Britain’s main trade unions, the Unison general secretary, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/daveprentis">Dave Prentis</a>, said Corbyn’s message was resonating with public sector workers whose wages had been frozen in recent years. </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jul/29/jeremy-corbyn-labour-leadership-campaign-momentum">Jeremy Corbyn's Labour leadership bid has a momentum even he didn't expect</a> </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">UNISON the public sector union have just decided to nominate <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/jeremy4leader?src=hash">#jeremy4leader</a> Thankyou <a href="https://twitter.com/unisontweets">@unisontweets</a> <a href="http://t.co/kIAHphu3JR">pic.twitter.com/kIAHphu3JR</a></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jul/28/jeremy-corbyn-warns-naughty-people-to-leave-labour-party-alone">Jeremy Corbyn warns 'naughty people' to leave Labour party alone</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jul/29/unison-endorses-jeremy-corbyn-for-labour-leadership">Continue reading...</a>Jeremy CorbynTrade unionsLabour party leadershipPublic sector cutsPublic sector payLabourPoliticsPublic financePublic services policySocietyUK newsDave PrentisWed, 29 Jul 2015 15:20:57 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jul/29/unison-endorses-jeremy-corbyn-for-labour-leadershipPhotograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty ImagesJeremy Corbyn acknowledged Unison members ‘are in the frontline of the impact of the government’s austerity agenda’.Nicholas Watt Chief political correspondent2015-07-29T15:20:57ZUnison boss to tell government that efforts to crush unions will failhttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jun/15/unison-boss-to-tell-government-that-efforts-to-crush-unions-will-fail
<p>Dave Prentis also attacks proposed legislation making strikes unlawful unless 50% of those entitled to vote take part in a ballot as vindictive </p><p>The boss of the largest public sector union will tell the government this week that its efforts to crush union power will fail, after a successful recruitment drive in newly privatised businesses.</p><p>Dave Prentis, the general secretary of Unison, said an exodus of members following steep job cuts in the public sector had been all but made up for by new members recruited from businesses taking on public sector contracts. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jun/15/unison-boss-to-tell-government-that-efforts-to-crush-unions-will-fail">Continue reading...</a>Trade unionsPublic sector cutsPoliticsPublic financePublic services policySocietyUK newsDave PrentisConferencesSun, 14 Jun 2015 23:01:16 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jun/15/unison-boss-to-tell-government-that-efforts-to-crush-unions-will-failPhotograph: Phil Noble/ReutersDave Prentis said new Unison members recruited from businesses taking on public sector contracts had all but made up for those lost when they were made redundant.Phillip Inman2015-06-14T23:01:16ZNHS workers back strike action in pay row by 2-to-1 marginhttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/18/nhs-workers-strike-pay-unison-england
Unison members in England including nurses, porters and paramedics vote for first pay strike in 32 years<p>Unison's NHS workers, including nurses, occupational therapists, porters, paramedics, medical secretaries, cooks and healthcare assistants, have voted to back strike action in a row over pay.</p><p>A total of 68% voted in favour of being prepared to take part in a strikes while 32% said no. The ballot also asked if they were prepared to take part in action short of strike action and 88% agreed while 12% voted against.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/18/nhs-workers-strike-pay-unison-england">Continue reading...</a>NHSHealthSocietyTrade unionsPoliticsPublic sector payPublic services policyPublic sector cutsPublic financeDave PrentisPublic sector careersThu, 18 Sep 2014 19:49:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/18/nhs-workers-strike-pay-unison-englandPhil Noble/ReutersUnison leader Dave Prentis at the TUC conference this month. Prentis said NHS workers’ ‘anger has now turned into action’ Photograph: Phil Noble/ReutersPhil Noble/ReutersUnison leader Dave Prentis at the TUC conference this month. Prentis said NHS workers’ ‘anger has now turned into action’ Photograph: Phil Noble/ReutersPress Association2014-09-18T19:49:03ZUnison's NHS workers vote to back strike action over pay in Englandhttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/18/unison-nhs-workers-back-strike-action-pay-england-dave-prentis
Union says a demoralised workforce whose real pay has fallen by 12% and won't rise for two years is bad for patients<p>NHS workers in England who are members of <a href="http://www.unison.org.uk/" title="">Unison</a>, including nurses, occupational therapists, porters and others, have voted to back strike action in a row over pay in England.</p><p>Of those who voted, 68% were in favour of being prepared to take part in a strike, while 32% said no.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/18/unison-nhs-workers-back-strike-action-pay-england-dave-prentis">Continue reading...</a>NHSHealthSocietyTrade unionsPoliticsDave PrentisPublic sector payPublic services policyPayJeremy HuntThu, 18 Sep 2014 14:43:55 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/18/unison-nhs-workers-back-strike-action-pay-england-dave-prentisLondon News Pictures / Rex Featu/London News Pictures / Rex FeatuUnison members protest against the government's NHS policies in 2012. Photograph: London News Pictures / Rex FeatuLondon News Pictures / Rex Featu/London News Pictures / Rex FeatuUnison members protest against the government's NHS policies in 2012. Photograph: London News Pictures / Rex FeatuPress Association2014-09-18T14:43:55ZTUC congress: We are heading for a Downton Abbey-style societyhttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/08/tuc-warned-britain-heading-for-downton-abbey-society
Britain risks being a nastier and poorer place as social mobility reverses and privilege is entrenched, says Frances O'Grady<p>The leader of the trade union movement has warned that Britain risks creating a &quot;Downton Abbey-style&quot; society in which social mobility has gone into reverse.</p><p>Frances O'Grady told the TUC's annual congress that under the coalition blame for the country's ills had been heaped on the vulnerable while &quot;the powerful and privileged sit pretty&quot;.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/08/tuc-warned-britain-heading-for-downton-abbey-society">Continue reading...</a>TUCTrade unionsFrances O'GradyLiberal-Conservative coalitionConservativesLiberal DemocratsLabourPoliticsEconomic growth (GDP)Economic recoveryEmployment tribunalsDave PrentisSocietyMon, 08 Sep 2014 12:59:04 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/08/tuc-warned-britain-heading-for-downton-abbey-societyLynne Cameron/PA'Silver spoons are ever more firmly clamped in the mouths of those who were born with them,' said Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the TUC, during her key note speech at the annual congress in Liverpool. Photograph: Lynne Cameron/PALynne Cameron/PA'Silver spoons are ever more firmly clamped in the mouths of those who were born with them,' said Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the TUC, during her key note speech at the annual congress in Liverpool. Photograph: Lynne Cameron/PAPhillip Inman in Liverpool2014-09-08T12:59:04ZFSA meat inspectors to stage two strikes in pay rowhttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/20/fsa-meat-inspectors-two-strikes-pay-row
Unison members to walk out next week after imposed below-inflation wage hike of 0.75%<p>Meat inspectors at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) are to stage two four-hour strikes next week in a row over pay.</p><p>Members of Unison in England, Wales and Scotland will walk out from 6.30am on Tuesday and Wednesday.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/20/fsa-meat-inspectors-two-strikes-pay-row">Continue reading...</a>Food safetyLife and styleFood & drinkTrade unionsPoliticsDave PrentisWed, 20 Aug 2014 09:20:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/20/fsa-meat-inspectors-two-strikes-pay-rowFLPA/John Eveson/RexFood safety, such as in slaughterhouses, could be at risk as FSA meat inspectors strike, Unison warns. Photograph: FLPA/John Eveson/RexFLPA/John Eveson/RexFood safety, such as in slaughterhouses, could be at risk as FSA meat inspectors strike, Unison warns. Photograph: FLPA/John Eveson/RexPress Association2014-08-20T09:20:03ZCameron plans strike crackdown as one million public workers walk outhttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jul/09/david-cameron-strikes-1m-walk-out-bully-threats
Prime minister branded 'Bullingdon bully' by Unite leader over threat to impose turnout threshold and time limit for union ballots<p>David Cameron has been accused by union leaders of being a &quot;Bullingdon bully&quot; after he vowed that the Conservative election manifesto would tighten the screw on strike laws in response to what he regards as Thursday's illegitimate mass walkout of up to 1 million public-sector workers.</p><p>Cameron attacked the low turnout thresholds in union strike ballots and challenged the validity of mandates to take industrial action derived from ballots conducted more than a year ago in some cases.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jul/09/david-cameron-strikes-1m-walk-out-bully-threats">Continue reading...</a>Trade unionsPublic services policyPublic sector payPublic sector cutsTUCDavid CameronPoliticsPublic financeSocietyLen McCluskeyEd MilibandDave PrentisPublic sector pensionsLiberal DemocratsUK newsBoris JohnsonMichael GoveFrances O'GradyThu, 10 Jul 2014 06:31:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jul/09/david-cameron-strikes-1m-walk-out-bully-threatsRex/REXDavid Cameron on Downing Street, 9 July 2014. Photograph: RexRex/REXDavid Cameron on Downing Street, 9 July 2014. Photograph: RexPatrick Wintour and Matthew Taylor2014-07-10T06:31:00ZThe Tories should be defending union rights: capitalism's survival depends on them | Aditya Chakraborttyhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/07/tories-should-defend-union-rights-capitalism-depends-on-them
The IMF says rising inequality will lead to economic meltdown. This shows that workers need more bargaining power, not less<p>You already know what David Cameron is going to say when Thursday's general strike begins, because he's said it all before. Like a film where all the good bits have been shovelled into the trailer, the PM long ago used up his best lines. So as members of seven public sector unions walk out, and queues build up at Heathrow for passport checks, he will accuse strikers of being &quot;a threat to our economy&quot; – just as he did in parliament a few years ago.</p><p>When rolling news channels cut to pickets outside fire stations, some chalk-striped backbencher with reclaimed hair will revive that age-old Tory fantasy of drafting in soldiers to dole out essential services. And as classrooms go empty for the day, cabinet members will reheat the promise of a new strikebreaking law.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/07/tories-should-defend-union-rights-capitalism-depends-on-them">Continue reading...</a>David CameronConservativesTrade unionsEconomic growth (GDP)Economic policyInternational Monetary Fund (IMF)UK newsDave PrentisEqualityMon, 07 Jul 2014 19:30:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/07/tories-should-defend-union-rights-capitalism-depends-on-themSean Dempsey/PA'The UK power nexus might once have been trade unionists – today it is a banker paying for a couple of sets of tennis with the PM and Boris.' Photograph: Sean Dempsey/PASean Dempsey/PA'The UK power nexus might once have been trade unionists – today it is a banker paying for a couple of sets of tennis with the PM and Boris.' Photograph: Sean Dempsey/PAAditya Chakrabortty2014-07-07T19:30:00ZCoalition faces huge strike as biggest unions ballot council workershttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jun/22/coalition-huge-strike-unions-council-workers
Unison, GMB and Unite ballot hundreds of thousands of workers in England and Wales in protest at offer worth 1% for most staff<p>The government is this week facing up to the prospect of the biggest strike since the coalition came to office amid growing anger over pay restraint in the public sector.</p><p>The UK's biggest trade unions are balloting hundreds of thousands of council workers in England and Wales in protest at an offer worth 1% for most staff.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jun/22/coalition-huge-strike-unions-council-workers">Continue reading...</a>Trade unionsUniteRMTDave PrentisMidwiferySocietyPoliticsUK newsLocal governmentPublic sector payNHSHealthSun, 22 Jun 2014 18:36:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jun/22/coalition-huge-strike-unions-council-workersPaul Faith/PA Wire/Press Association ImagesUnion leader Dave Prentis said the action could be bigger than the 1926 general strike if workers voted for it. Photograph: Paul Faith/PA Wire/Press Association ImagesPaul Faith/PA Wire/Press Association ImagesUnion leader Dave Prentis said the action could be bigger than the 1926 general strike if workers voted for it. Photograph: Paul Faith/PA Wire/Press Association ImagesPress Association2014-06-22T18:36:03ZTrade unions challenge coalition sell-off of Britain's probation servicehttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/feb/10/uinions-challenge-sale-of-probation-service
Chris Grayling said to have breached rules that say supervision of forced labour ordered by court cannot be privatised<p>Government plans to privatise the probation service amount to a breach of the international laws on forced labour, according to a union legal challenge that is being launched on Monday.</p><p>Three unions, Unison, Napo and the GMB, are formally reporting the justice secretary, Chris Grayling, to the International Labour Organisation for breaching its rules that the supervision of forced labour ordered by a court cannot be handed over from the public to the private sector.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/feb/10/uinions-challenge-sale-of-probation-service">Continue reading...</a>Prisons and probationDave PrentisSocietyChris GraylingLiberal-Conservative coalitionConservativesLiberal DemocratsTrade unionsPrivatisationEconomic policyPoliticsSercoBusinessUK criminal justiceLawMon, 10 Feb 2014 06:40:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/feb/10/uinions-challenge-sale-of-probation-serviceAnthony Devlin/PAJustice secretary Chris Grayling has been reported to the International Labour Organisation by three trade unions. Photograph: Anthony Devlin/PAAnthony Devlin/PAJustice secretary Chris Grayling has been reported to the International Labour Organisation by three trade unions. Photograph: Anthony Devlin/PAAlan Travis, home affairs editor2014-02-10T06:40:00ZEd Miliband's TUC speech receives lukewarm receptionhttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/sep/10/ed-miliband-tuc-speech-lukewarm-reception
Despite offering delegates a range of policies to 'change the world of work' Labour leader gets muted response<p>Ed Miliband has described trade unionists as &quot;the backbone of Britain that kept the country going&quot; as he offered TUC delegates a raft of policies designed to change the world of work but rejected calls to rule out pay restraint or spending controls if elected.</p><p>Despite the many crowd-pleasing offers on zero-hours contracts, internships, capping the cost of debt, gangmaster licensing and the living wage, the Labour leader's 20-minute speech was heard in respectful silence, with the Bournemouth hall only coming truly alight when he was challenged that his policies on austerity were confusing and contradictory.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/sep/10/ed-miliband-tuc-speech-lukewarm-reception">Continue reading...</a>Ed MilibandPoliticsTUCTrade unionsDave PrentisConferencesSocietyUniteLabourUK newsTue, 10 Sep 2013 14:30:06 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/sep/10/ed-miliband-tuc-speech-lukewarm-receptionStefan Rousseau/PAEd Miliband addresses delegates at the TUC conference in Bournemouth. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PAStefan Rousseau/PAEd Miliband addresses delegates at the TUC conference in Bournemouth. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PAPatrick Wintour, political editor2013-09-10T14:30:06ZEd Miliband told to stop 'knee-jerk' union funding reformshttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/sep/09/ed-miliband-labour-party-union-funding
Unison general secretary Dave Prentis adds to pressure on Labour leader over party's union funding<p>Ed Miliband will jeopardise Labour's chances of winning the next election if he forces through &quot;knee-jerk&quot; party funding reforms before then, the leader of the UK's biggest public sector union has warned.</p><p>Speaking on the eve of the Labour leader's speech to the TUC conference in Bournemouth, Unison general secretary Dave Prentis accused Miliband of seeking to escalate a &quot;local issue&quot; in Falkirk into a rewriting of the party's link with unions; this decision was &quot;off the wall&quot;, Prentis said, when Labour should be fighting for better jobs and wages.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/sep/09/ed-miliband-labour-party-union-funding">Continue reading...</a>LabourPoliticsEd MilibandParty fundingTrade unionsDave PrentisConferencesSocietyUK newsTUCFrances O'GradyMon, 09 Sep 2013 17:48:45 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/sep/09/ed-miliband-labour-party-union-fundingBen Birchall/PATUC general secretary Frances O'Grady addresses the annual conference in Bournemouth. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PABen Birchall/PATUC general secretary Frances O'Grady addresses the annual conference in Bournemouth. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PAMatthew Taylor2013-09-09T17:48:45ZMiliband must end 'public squabbling' over union funding, says Unison chiefhttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/sep/08/ed-miliband-union-funding-labour-unison
Labour faces electoral meltdown if it continues attacks, warns Dave Prentis as he reveals union to cut amount it gives to party<p>The leader of Britain's biggest public sector union warned Ed Miliband on Sunday night that Labour faces electoral meltdown unless the party ended its &quot;public squabbling&quot; with the unions over funding.</p><p>Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, also revealed that his union would reduce the among of money it gives to the party next year as he called on the Labour leader to concentrate on low wages, zero-hours contracts and low pay that were creating a &quot;pressure cooker&quot; situation that was likely to come to a head in co-ordinated strike action next year.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/sep/08/ed-miliband-union-funding-labour-unison">Continue reading...</a>Ed MilibandParty fundingLabourDave PrentisTrade unionsSocietyPoliticsTUCUK newsSun, 08 Sep 2013 18:24:12 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/sep/08/ed-miliband-union-funding-labour-unisonDave Thompson/PADave Prentis says Unison will not abide by the results of a ongoing review into the link between Labour and the unions that is due to report next spring. Photograph: Dave Thompson/PADave Thompson/PADave Prentis says Unison will not abide by the results of a ongoing review into the link between Labour and the unions that is due to report next spring. Photograph: Dave Thompson/PAMatthew Taylor2013-09-08T18:24:12ZOfwat chairman Jonson Cox attacked over his old water company's tax affairshttp://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/jun/16/ofwat-jonson-cox-tax
Regulator has talked of 'morally questionable' tax affairs at water companies – but his Anglian Water paid little corporation tax<p>The head of the water industry watchdog has been accused of extraordinary hypocrisy for criticising the &quot;morally questionable&quot; tax structures in the sector after it emerged that Anglian Water hardly paid any corporation tax over the six years he was its chief executive.</p><p>Jonson Cox, now chairman of Ofwat, suggested last week that some corporations had a moral case to answer over allegations by campaign groups and MPs that they had used &quot;shareholder loans to avoid UK taxation&quot; through complex offshore holding structures. He described &quot;some aspects&quot; of the structures as morally questionable.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/jun/16/ofwat-jonson-cox-tax">Continue reading...</a>RegulatorsTax avoidanceUtilitiesCorporate governanceBusinessPoliticsUK newsDave PrentisSocietyWater billsSat, 15 Jun 2013 23:04:15 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/jun/16/ofwat-jonson-cox-taxJohn Stillwell/PADuring the six years that Jonson Cox was its chief executive, Anglian Water paid a total of £1.5m in corporation tax. Photograph: John Stillwell/PAJohn Stillwell/PADuring the six years that Jonson Cox was its chief executive, Anglian Water paid a total of £1.5m in corporation tax. Photograph: John Stillwell/PADaniel Boffey, policy editor2013-06-15T23:04:15ZLabour will have 'no hope' in 2015 unless it gets bolder, says Unison chiefhttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/dec/14/labour-no-hope-dave-prentis-union
Dave Prentis says UK's biggest public sector union is prepared to strike on issue of pay and party needs to get onside<br /><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/dec/14/dave-prentis-interview-coalition" title="">• Read the full interview with Dave Prentis</a><p>The leader of the UK's largest public sector union has accused Labour of &quot;avoiding all the big issues&quot; and said the party will have &quot;no hope&quot; at the general election unless it adopts much stronger anti-austerity policies.</p><p>Dave Prentis, the Unison general secretary, said Labour should go into the election promising to abandon public service cuts and to ensure that all public sector workers receive at least the living wage.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/dec/14/labour-no-hope-dave-prentis-union">Continue reading...</a>LabourDave PrentisSocietyPoliticsPublic sector cutsPublic services policyPublic financePublic sector payTrade unionsEd MilibandFri, 14 Dec 2012 17:17:39 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/dec/14/labour-no-hope-dave-prentis-unionGraham Turner/GuardianUnison's general secretary accused Ed Miliband of wanting to avoid a discussion on privatisation. Photograph: Graham Turner for the GuardianGraham Turner/GuardianUnison's general secretary accused Ed Miliband of wanting to avoid a discussion on privatisation. Photograph: Graham Turner for the GuardianAndrew Sparrow, political correspondent2012-12-14T17:17:39ZDave Prentis interview: 'The pendulum is swinging against the coalition'http://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/dec/14/dave-prentis-interview-coalition
Unison general secretary warns Labour to make its alternative to the austerity agenda clear if it wants to win next election<p>Speak to almost any MP at Westminster and you'll hear a recognition that austerity is going to continue well beyond 2015. There are important differences between Labour and the coalition, but even Labour politicians accept that money is going to be tight for the foreseeable future. Yet, if you nip up the Victoria line to the Unison HQ at Euston, you'll hear Dave Prentis, the Unison general secretary, advocate a bright, simple alternative: an end to cuts, and rising salaries in the public sector. In a lengthy interview, here are the main points he had to make.</p><p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/dec/14/dave-prentis-interview-coalition">Continue reading...</a>Dave PrentisConferencesSocietyTrade unionsPoliticsLabourEd MilibandEd BallsFri, 14 Dec 2012 16:45:07 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/dec/14/dave-prentis-interview-coalitionGraham Turner/GuardianDave Prentis: 'I do not believe that when it comes to a general election that Labour will win just because people are angry with the coalition and its austerity policy.' Photograph: Graham Turner for the GuardianGraham Turner/GuardianDave Prentis: 'I do not believe that when it comes to a general election that Labour will win just because people are angry with the coalition and its austerity policy.' Photograph: Graham Turner for the GuardianAndrew Sparrow2012-12-14T16:45:07ZWhat do you want to ask Dave Prentis, the Unison general secretary?http://www.theguardian.com/society/blog/2012/dec/11/what-ask-dave-prentis-unison
I'm interviewing the man who runs Britain's largest public sector union; what would you like me to ask him?<br /><p>For the last two and a half years Unison has been at the centre of union opposition to the coalition's austerity programme and it organised <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/nov/30/public-sector-workers-strike-uk" title="">last November's mammoth strike.</a> In some areas its campaigning has been successful (one of the under-reported stories in the autumn statement was <a href="http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=2906" title="">George Osborne's decision to abandon regional pay).</a></p><p>But the austerity programme continues. I'll ask about what has worked for Unison, what hasn't, and what comes next. I'll ask about relations with Labour and the future of public services generally. But I'd like to hear your suggestions for questions too.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/blog/2012/dec/11/what-ask-dave-prentis-unison">Continue reading...</a>Dave PrentisTrade unionsPoliticsSocietyPublic sector payPublic services policyPublic sector cutsPublic financeTue, 11 Dec 2012 10:39:24 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/blog/2012/dec/11/what-ask-dave-prentis-unisonGraham Turner/GuardianDave Prentis, the general secretary of Unison. Photograph: Graham Turner for the GuardianGraham Turner/GuardianDave Prentis, the general secretary of Unison. Photograph: Graham Turner for the GuardianAndrew Sparrow2012-12-11T10:39:24ZLabour out of touch over public sector pay freeze, say union leadershttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/oct/01/labour-out-of-touch-union-leaders
Wording of wide-ranging motion passed by conference fails to match rhetoric from the platform<p>Ed Miliband and his shadow chancellor, Ed Balls, came under fire at Labour's annual conference as union leaders accused the party leadership of being out of touch with the plight of ordinary workers for backing the government's ongoing pay freeze in the public sector.</p><p>A row first triggered nine months ago resurfaced on the first full day of the conference in Manchester as the Unison leader, Dave Prentis, conveyed the anger felt by public sector trade unions over Balls's decision at the turn of the year to come out in support of the freeze on the grounds that protecting jobs was a higher priority.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/oct/01/labour-out-of-touch-union-leaders">Continue reading...</a>LabourPoliticsLabour conference 2012UK newsLabour conferenceEd MilibandEd BallsTrade unionsPublic sector payPublic services policySocietyDave PrentisLen McCluskeyMon, 01 Oct 2012 18:24:56 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/oct/01/labour-out-of-touch-union-leadersRay Tang/Rex FeaturesEd Miliband and Ed Balls at the Labour party Conference in Manchester. Photograph: Ray Tang/Rex FeaturesRay Tang/Rex FeaturesEd Miliband and Ed Balls at the Labour party Conference in Manchester. Photograph: Ray Tang/Rex FeaturesHélène Mulholland2012-10-01T18:24:56ZUnion leaders attack Labour for backing public sector pay freezehttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/oct/01/union-labour-public-sector-pay-freeze
Unite's Len McCluskey tells Labour conference that asking poorest to make further sacrifices is road to political ruin<p>Senior union leaders stoked the row with the Labour leadership over public sector wages by attacking Ed Miliband and Ed Balls for backing the government's pay freeze, saying it was wrong both morally and economically.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/oct/01/union-labour-public-sector-pay-freeze">Continue reading...</a>Labour conference 2012Trade unionsPoliticsPublic sector cutsPublic services policyPublic financeSocietyPublic sector payEd MilibandEd BallsLabour conferenceLabourUK newsLen McCluskeyDave PrentisConferencesMon, 01 Oct 2012 11:48:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/oct/01/union-labour-public-sector-pay-freezeLinda Nylind/GuardianDave Prentis says the public sector pay freeze is wrong both 'morally and economically'.
Photograph: Linda Nylind for the GuardianHélène Mulholland2012-10-01T11:48:00ZUnison accuses Ed Miliband of 'breathtaking naivety' over cutshttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/jan/18/unison-accuses-ed-miliband-naivety-cuts
Public sector union condemns Miliband's stance, meaning UK's top three unions have all lined up against Labour leader<p>Unison has accused Ed Miliband of &quot;breathtaking naivety&quot; over Labour's support for a public sector pay squeeze, with the party's second-largest union backer saying that backing cuts was playing &quot;cheap politics&quot; with workers' lives.</p><p>The public sector union's intervention means all the UK's top three unions have lined up against the Labour leader over his support for a 1% pay cap, with Unison joining the GMB and Unite, which is Labour's biggest financial donor with 1.5 million members.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/jan/18/unison-accuses-ed-miliband-naivety-cuts">Continue reading...</a>Ed MilibandLabourTrade unionsPoliticsDave PrentisPublic sector cutsPublic sector payPublic sector pensionsSocietyUK newsPublic sector careersWed, 18 Jan 2012 17:35:13 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/jan/18/unison-accuses-ed-miliband-naivety-cutsLinda Nylind/GuardianDave Prentis, the Unison general secretary, has hit out at Ed Miliband over cuts. Photograph: Linda Nylind for the GuardianLinda Nylind/GuardianDave Prentis, the Unison general secretary, has hit out at Ed Miliband over cuts. Photograph: Linda Nylind for the GuardianDan Milmo, industrial editor2012-01-18T17:35:13Z